ISLAMABAD,(TW News) – A high-impact panel discussion, “Voices Against Digital Violence,” successfully concluded yesterday at the Pakistan Reading & Learning Festival in Lok Virsa, Islamabad. The event served as the official launchpad for the Digital Safety & Youth Advocacy Campaign 2025, a critical joint initiative by UNESCO Pakistan and Idara-e-Taleem-o-Aagahi (ITA).

The session successfully mobilized government officials, industry leaders, youth and civil society activists to urgently address the sharp rise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) impacting Pakistani youth.

Diverse Perspectives Chart a Course for Systemic Change

The panel fostered a crucial dialogue on the nature of digital violence and strategies to combat it, drawing on a spectrum of expertise:

• Addressing Marginalized Risks: Equity and inclusive activists Abia Akram and Nayyab Ali emphasized the compounded risks faced by vulnerable groups. Ms. Akram pointed out the lack of accessible reporting mechanisms for women with disabilities, while Ms. Ali highlighted the pervasive, unchecked hate speech faced by transgender youth, which mirrors offline discrimination.
• Culture, Law, and Infrastructure: Bridging lived experiences with systemic solutions, moderator Samar Minallah Khan and industry leader Tehmin Sayyed focused on regulatory and cultural reforms. Mr. Sayyed committed to corporate investment in digital literacy. Ms. Khan stressed that legal frameworks, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, must be reinforced by a significant cultural shift that decisively rejects the normalization of online harassment.
• The Student Perspective: The urgent need for supportive school environments was underscored by student Muhammad Azaan, who shared a personal account of identity theft and the immediate requirement for institutional support.

High-Level Commitment to a Safe Digital Space

Mr. Fuad Pashayev, UNESCO Representative to Pakistan, underscored the urgency of the panel discussion in raising awareness on the rising online abuse, particularly targeting women, girls, and transgender individuals. He commended the panelists for their dedication and reaffirmed UNESCO’s enduring commitment to fostering an inclusive and safe digital space for all citizens of Pakistan.

Mobilizing Young Advocates: The Campaign Launch

The discussion highlighted the escalating threat of TFGBV in Pakistan, noting global trends such as the UN Broadband Commission’s 2021 finding that 38% of women worldwide have experienced online harassment, stalking, threats, or abuse.

The session culminated in the official launch of the Digital Safety & Youth Advocacy Campaign 2025. This initiative has already begun rolling out capacity-building training across Punjab, transforming transgender and girls’ students into certified Digital Safety Advocates. The core objective is to drive a powerful “Digital Safety Call to Action,” empowering young people to promote empathy, inclusivity, and a zero-tolerance approach to online violence within their communities and networks.